These 5 players are quickly playing their way off the 49ers' roster

At 5-7, the San Francisco 49ers are looking up in the standings of the NFC West. That has not been typical the two seasons prior as they have won the division two years in a row.

Many injuries have plagued this roster, as we know. In addition, a number of subpar season performances have crippled the Niners' chances to win.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has done his best, but even starting quarterback Brock Purdy has been affected, too.

Thus, the discussion is merited when it comes to which players have played their way off the roster.

As this is not the composite list, this is a starting point that covers both sides of the ball and more.

1. Chris Conley, Wide Receiver

The 49ers are a unique offense. Even though the roster has been decimated by injuries this season, veteran wide receiver Chris Conley has not been given the reps on the field to show his value.

Perhaps, it's because Shanahan already believes to have assessed it and does not view it to be so high.

Thus, this makes Conley a viable bye-bye candidate this year or before next season.

The former University of Georgia Bulldog has suited up in 10 games this year and yet only has one reception for 4 yards. He has been targeted seven times.

It's been since 2021 that Conley has recorded more than 100 receiving yards. It was the two seasons before that when he was even viewed as a viable go-to option in any offense.

Conley is an aging veteran on the wrong side of 30 years old. Those seem to be a dime-a-dozen recently on the current roster.

San Francisco also spent two draft picks last year on wide receivers, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing. Tight end George Kittle has been one of the few healthy and consistent pass catchers for Purdy, while Conley has been an afterthought despite the myriad of injuries at the position.

Thus, the writing is on the wall. This could easily be Conley's last season playing football in the Bay Area.

2 (A and B). Mitch Wishnowsky and Pat O'Donnell, Punters

Special teams have killed the Niners this season. They currently rank in the bottom five in terms of average punt yards (44.8) and punts inside the 20-yard line (14).

They give opposing offenses good field position. That sets up San Francisco's defense poorly, making it harder to prevent points being put up on the board by players not in a 49ers uniform.

The incumbent veteran, Mitch Wishnowsky, is not without company as he is also on injured reserve with a back issue. His last game in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Up to that point, Wishnowsky averaged 45.2 yards per punt, which is ranked 30th among punters in the league. His 11 punts inside the 20 is outside the top 30.

The former University of Utah product only averaged over 50 yards a punt in Week 1. Though he is signed through 2026, the 49ers may look at cutting him and looking elsewhere for a new punter.

His replacement, Pat O'Donnell, has not fared much better. In three games, the backup has just three punts inside the 20.

O'Donnell has yet to have a game where he averages 50 yards a punt, either. His ranks are all out of the top 30.

San Francisco could benefit from giving the boot to this pair of punters. O'Donnell wouldn't be a shocker whatsoever, given he was an emergency replacement, but Wishnowsky might join him, too.

3. Brandon Allen, Quarterback

Currently, Brandon Allen is listed as the third quarterback on the depth chart with the pre-Week 13 decision to move Joshua Dobbs ahead of him.

Understandably so after Allen was a part of the recent 38-10 blowout loss against the Green Bay Packers on the road at Lambeau Field. His quarterback rating (34.8) in that contest was a miserable mark.

Though all the blame is not on him, a completion percentage of less than 59 percent and throwing a pick isn't exactly a great endorsement either. Allen's average completion rate netted him just below an average of 7 yards.

That won't help move the chains against the league's top defenses.

The 49ers may benefit from a more mobile quarterback as we have seen Purdy scramble for some good chunks of yards. Allen had just 5 yards on two rushing attempts.

Few saw this season going the way that it has so far. Allen is familiar with the team and their schemes on offense as he was on the roster with them last year, but never played.

4. Kevin Givens, Defensive Tackle

Reserve defensive tackle Kevin Givens was not immediately re-signed last offseason as he was one of the many unsigned free agents on the 49ers roster last winter.

Givens is currently on IR, missed the entire month of November and the last week or so of October before playing in the loss at the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.

The aging veteran will turn 28 years old before 2025. However, this may be a position San Francisco looks to upgrade in the draft or free agency.

Givens started out the season more than decent. He recorded a sack in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings and 2.5 more in the win at home versus the New England Patriots. He also had three tackles in that contest.

Unfortunately, Givens has just eight other total tackles aside from those.

Already playing on a one-year deal (worth just over $2 million), he most likely is not a part of the 49ers' long-term plans. In fact, there may be an overhaul on this roster that includes more than just Givens.

Our guess, his tenure with the defending NFC champions has come to an end.

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